New Savannah Beerathon puts 26 craft brews in heart of historic district

Hot on the heels of the city’s second successful Rock ‘n‘ Roll Savannah Marathon — in which participants ran 26 miles, more or less — comes the new Savannah Beerathon — in which participants can drink 26 craft beers, more or less. But unlike the marathon, the Nov. 10 challenge is one organizers encourage you not to complete.

“Obviously, nobody’s expecting anybody to drink a full beer times 26,” explains Phil Rogers, the beerathon’s director, who’s put together similar events in New York and Boston that have drawn drinkers by the thousands.

In Savannah, Rogers’ “race” — “the marathon component comes in to reference the number of venues,” he explains — will put more than two dozen sought-after craft beers on tap at historic district hotspots from Kevin Barry’s to The Crystal Beer Parlor. On race day, participants are given a map of the 26 stops and encouraged to stroll leisurely.

“The beerathon is a beer tasting tour — we pride ourselves in that language,” Rogers says. “It’s not your college frat pub crawl with people puking on themselves.

“We encourage you to visit all 26 locations but not actually to finish a beer at each — that would be suicide, unless you’re 7 feet tall and 500 pounds.”

Like the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon, Rogers says, the beerathon is about more than just bringing people together over something they love. Experiencing downtown Savannah on a street-to-street level is also a huge draw.

“It’s a really great opportunity for participants to explore Savannah and visit places they’ve not been to before,” he says. “It’s as much about exploring the places as exploring the beers.”

IF YOU GO

What: Inaugural Savannah Beerathon

When: Noon-2 a.m. Nov. 10

Where: The beerathon course includes 26 historic district locations; see website